The protests by salt-pan workers against the proposed ₹13,000-crore shipbuilding project in Thoothukudi have been marked by a notably small turnout, with the same handful of protesters appearing repeatedly in videos from the demonstrations.
Among the familiar faces is an elderly woman who has emerged as one of the most prominent voices at the protests. In video after video, she can be seen questioning both the Central Government and the Tamil Nadu government over the proposed project and its impact on the salt pans.
In one of her speeches, she directly addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Tamil Nadu government.
“Sir, Modi government, TVK government, listen. For distributing the salt from Thoothukudi, V.O. Chidambaranar himself used to take a ship on rent. Such is the greatness of our salt. Who are you to destroy our salt pans? Who are you two to destroy our salt pans?” she said.
She then questioned the governments over the promises made during elections.
“When you came asking for our votes, what did you say? You promised that you would not destroy our salt pans, that you would stand with us and would not destroy our livelihood. You asked for our votes after giving us that promise. Where have you gone today? Where have you disappeared?”
The woman also criticised the Tamil Nadu Assembly for what she claimed was a lack of attention to the salt-pan workers’ concerns.
“Not a single person in the Assembly speaks about us. They talk about love, they talk about legs, what kind of spectacle are you putting on?” she said.
Comparing the response to protests in Chennai with the treatment of salt workers in Thoothukudi, she said:
“If four people protest in Chennai for four days, ministers go there and stand with them. We have been protesting for one year. For one year we have been fighting for gruel. Nobody speaks about us. Not a single person in the Assembly speaks about us.”
She questioned whether salt workers were being treated as inferior.
“Why? Because we are salt-pan workers, are we such despicable people? Tell me.”
She then challenged the authorities to live without salt.
“Kill 100 goats, kill 100 goats, pour 150 measures of rice and try eating it without salt. Can you? Can you? Can you?”
She went on to defend Thoothukudi’s salt industry and oppose the proposed project.
“Thoothukudi is famous throughout Tamil Nadu. You have no authority to destroy our Thoothukudi salt pans. And we will not allow it either.”
When asked her name, the woman identified herself as Amirthagani from Mullaikadu, M Xavierpuram, Thoothukudi district.
The Same Faces At Repeated Protests
Videos circulating from the protests show Amirthagani repeatedly appearing at demonstrations against the shipbuilding project.
The turnout at some of the protests has also appeared limited, with only a small number of people participating.
The repeated appearance of the same protesters has raised questions over the scale and representativeness of the demonstrations, particularly when the protests are being presented as opposition from the wider salt-pan community.
I told you this is the same paati. @CMOTamilnadu, it’s happening right under our nose. There seems to be a nexus trying to snatch our investment and move it to Andhra.
This has been going on for a while. Please keep the intelligence agencies on alert and under your watch. They… https://t.co/QjEj8ZvPFN pic.twitter.com/1Fmq48B03W— INDICIST (@Indicfederr0d) September 7, 2026
I swear to God, I see this paati in every video of the protests against HD Hyundai.
Looks like our neighbouring state wants to take our investment. This is why I said earlier that there were 20 people but I take it back. It’s hardly 10 now, lol.
Look at the timing, and look at… https://t.co/9rj2EkG4qM
— INDICIST (@Indicfederr0d) September 7, 2026
— INDICIST (@Indicfederr0d) September 7, 2026
The timing of the demonstrations has also drawn attention.
The shipbuilding project, estimated at around ₹13,000 crore, has been the subject of reports concerning its proposed location and land requirements in Tamil Nadu.
There were earlier reports that the investment could move to Andhra Pradesh. Subsequently, reports emerged that representatives of HD Hyundai had visited Tamil Nadu and sought additional land for the project.
The latest protests come amid these developments.
Whether the protests represent widespread opposition among Thoothukudi’s salt-pan workers or are being driven by a relatively small group remains a question that warrants closer examination.
What is clear from the videos is that the same handful of protesters continue to feature prominently in the demonstrations against the shipyard project.
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